One of music's most innovative and
eclectic ensembles, Magma, has
released a new CD titled 'Felicite Thosz' internationally
on Seventh Records (June 2012). Having emerged unscathed from STAR
WARS, don't just sit there waiting for the end of the world. Take a
leap into the MAGMA universe and grab their new studio album which is
not to be missed under any circumstances: a trip which will lead you
from Japan to the Urals via Central Asia with a detour to pay homage
to Tamla Motown. Already aired in concert under the title 'Felicite
Thosz' and well-attended by legions of the band's fans, the piece is
dominated by the celestial voice of Stella Vander and is a formidable
mix of all the sonic colors which has made this cult band absolutely
incatagorizable!
Magma
was founded in Paris in 1969 by drummer Christian Vander, who derived
his inspiration from a "vision of humanity's spiritual and
ecological future" that profoundly disturbed him. Vander was a
self-taught musician, who received some tips from drum legend Elvin
Jones. In the course of Magma's first album, the band tells the story
of a group of people fleeing a doomed Earth to settle on the planet
Kobaïa. Later, conflict arises when the Kobaïans, who are
descendants of the original colonists, encounter other Earth
refugees. A distinguished aspect of Magma's music is that Vander
actually invented a constucted language, Kobaïan, in which most
lyrics are sung. Later albums told different stories set in more
ancient times; however the Kobaïan language remained an integral
part of the music. Reportedly, Christian Vander is also highly
influenced by the work of jazz legend John Coltrane. "For my
work, it is still Coltrane who actually gives me the real material to
work on, to be able to move on.," says Vander.
Magma's
new CD
features two pieces – the 28-minute title track 'Felicite Thosz',
and a composition titled 'Les Hommes Sont Venus'. Both tracks were
recorded between September 2011 and April 2012 in Francis Linon's new
studio on the French Riviera. “I started working on this piece in
2001, right after I finished the exhausting recording of 'Les cygnes
et les corbeaux',” explains Vander. “With 'Felicite', there was
an immediate feeling of ease, the piece seemed to come to life,
clear, under my fingers. True happiness beneath the complexity, the
circumvolutions, the meanderings... the spires and the spirals of
'Les cygnes et les corbeaux'. There lies the color of Magma's great
themes, and its quintessential spirit. One could say that the
melodies have evolved, gained fluidity. The idea of renewal belongs
to every civilization, celebrating beings, places, nature and gods.
With the sounds, rites and traditions from various lands unfold. This
theme offers a new aspect of Magma's music, a source that unleashes
its power flow. I hope you enjoy listening to it.”
In
other news, Magma will be the headline act for the Zappanale Festival
in Germany on August 3rd
and Paris La Villette Jazz Festival on August 30th.
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